Why We Played

More than 500 moms, dads, and children gathered on US Capitol grounds last week for the fourth-annual Play-In for Climate Action. Yes, there were bubbles, hula hoops, and giant puppets—but our playing was serious business: We came to call on our leaders to champion solutions to climate change.

We couldn’t have done it without you, our million-strong membership, reminding lawmakers, reporters, and passers-by through our sheer numbers what most Americans know. Climate change is here, it’s happening now, and we need our leaders to solve this problem. Thank you for being part of this rising tide of parent voices protecting the health of America’s children from the urgent climate crisis.

1. MOMS ARE PROTECTING CHILDREN
There is no better way to appreciate the beauty of children than to watch them play. They danced and clapped to drums and music; they built innovative towers from giant cardboard building blocks; they figured out the best ways to use hula hoops; they giggled with glee while cooperating on parachute games. Their joy is why we do this work. We are uniting to protect their health and future.

2. MOMS ARE FOSTERING BIPARTISAN COOPERATION
Elected officials from both sides of the aisle came to the Play-In to speak to hundreds of families from almost 40 states. Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the House of Representatives, spoke about how a meeting with our Philadelphia members opened his eyes to the importance of air quality in his region. Also speaking at the event were climate champions Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Republicans and Democrats, on the same stage at the same event. It’s possible, and we’re doing it.

3. MOMS ARE VISITING LAWMAKERS
As the Play-In for Climate Action was wrapping up, families headed over to the office buildings on the Hill for more than 100 meetings with lawmakers and their staff. We brought personal stories about how climate change and air pollution impact our families, right now. We asked our lawmakers to take action to defend EPA’s budget from draconian budget cuts, to defend bedrock clean air protections currently under attack, and to take action on climate change.

Visiting Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander’s office

4. MOMS ARE DEFEATING HEAD-IN-THE-SAND CLIMATE DENIAL
Hours after the Play-In concluded, the House took an important vote about climate change – and lawmakers made the right decision. A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act includes language acknowledging climate change as a direct threat to our national security. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) had offered an amendment to scrub that language, but it failed by a wide margin of 185 to 234—including 46 Republicans joining nearly all House Democrats in voting no. Some of those lawmakers took the vote minutes after speaking with our members in their offices. Despite an all-out assault on climate action waged by the Trump administration, a bipartisan majority stood on the side of science, common sense—and most importantly, what is right for America’s families.

5. MOMS ARE GETTING ATTENTION
The Play-In for Climate Action was covered in both English and Spanish language media outlets from across the country. We spoke up, and reporters listened, helping amplify the solutions-oriented message that our members brought to Capitol Hill. Mom and actress Megan Boone, of the Blacklist, joined us to share her hope that we act on climate right now and for future generations. We are spreading the word far beyond DC that moms and dads are taking action to protect children from climate change.

We could not host this incredible event each year without the amazing support of our members and partners. Please continue to support our efforts HERE. Thank you!